Months of Prep, would it pay off?
Saturday, May 17 arrived. The sun was peeking its head over the horizon as I came down the stairs into the kitchen. The day we had all been preparing for was finally here. The team had spent hours shaving minutes of their mile time, building up stamina and getting ready for the big day. It was time to test our mettle and see how all that preparation would pay off.
Morning Hustle
9AM rolled around and I wrapped breakfast up, corralled the kids and packed for the road.
Around 9:30am, we jumped into the Cybertruck and headed to Westfield State University, the South Lot, to pick up our race bibs and complete some last-minute registrations. From there, we rolled into downtown to park at the finish line. The event planners had put together a car show and the finishing touches were happening for the 5Kool Down After Party.
It was only 10:30am, but the excitement was palpable. Mark and Alysa from Crave were busy setting up their booth, with their oldest putting together her own craft stand to sell handmade wares. Westfield Bank, one of the main sponsors, was putting the finishing touches to their booth. We also bumped into Nikki, from Stanley Park, collecting donations at the entrance to Elm St. and Arnold St.
We pulled onto Elm and joined the Car Show party. The cars lining downtown ranged from C8 Corvettes, exotic Ferraris, old school muscle, oval track racers, custom-built hot-rods to our angular hunk of stainless, the Cybertruck.
Savvy Source… ASSEMBLE!
Shortly after 11am, Larry arrived. Carrying mission-critical cargo, our traffic cone hats and neon orange team shirts—the official Team Savvy uniform. With his arrival, it was as if a call went out, a call for greatness, and our team began popping out of the woodwork. Dan and Yev showed up, then Paul and Ben and finally Lena. But that wasn’t all, our extended team also came; Luba, Phillip, Natasha, and the youngest members who were already there, Azariah, Naomi and Hadassah.
To the Start Line
By noon, we had suited up, taken a few team photos, and carpooled over to the South Lot. Pre-race jitters kicked in as we joined a sea of more than 1,000 runners.
Hadassah was supposed to hang at the finish line with my wife and younger son, Julie and Gideon. That plan lasted all of two seconds. She was in. So, there I was, walking to the starting grid with a cone hat, a neon shirt, and a 40-pound toddler on my shoulders.
The Gun Goes Off
Right around 1 PM, a drizzle started. Just enough to cool things down, add to the mood and extra layer of challenge. Then the starting horn blew.
The mass of racers surged out of South Lot, made the turn onto Western Ave, and started pacing out. Those first steps were electric, but I knew this race wouldn’t be about speed for myself. Looking ahead, you could see orange cone hats peeking above the crowd, blinking for attention like a red marker light around an airport.
Course Vibes & Community Cheers
At 1:15 we passed the first mile marker, Naomi was by my side, pacing herself through cramps. We took walking breaks when needed, alongside a mixed crowd of racers, families, and strollers.
I kept scanning for glimpses of our team—bright shirts, bouncing cones—but before long, it was just me and the girls. The community along the route made it easier. Spectators and volunteers cheered, offered high-fives, and yelled, “Go Team Conehead!” with every pass.
The encouragement was nonstop. Western Ave felt so alive!
Momentum Shift
Just past Lloyd’s Hill, Naomi and I regrouped. She agreed to walk the rest, and I’d go ahead with Hadassah and double back. So I picked up a jog—well, as much of a jog as you could have with a wiggling toddler on your back.
As we neared Highland Elementary, we passed a cheer squad of CCS students and parents. Seeing familiar faces cheering us on gave us a second wind.
Then we spotted a tiny runner cruising ahead solo. I glanced up and asked, “Want to run?” Hadassah beamed, “YA!” She hit the ground and took off, forcing me to hustle just to keep up.
Final Stretch
Her sprint didn’t last long. By the time we passed the cemetery, she asked for a ride. We powered through to Noble Street before I lifted her back up.
Down Court Street, we passed City Hall and waved at Don Humason, cheering us on. The roar of the crowd grew as we approached Elm Street.
Turning that final corner was surreal—Circuit Coffee had taken on the role of hype-man, and the crowd was electric. Hadassah leaned out for high-fives like royalty on a float.
It was just after 1:45, We crossed the line together, a wall of cheers greeting us. Pure joy and excitement. Beautifull. It was worth every sore muscle.
Naomi’s Finish
But I wasn’t done. Naomi was still out there. I passed Hadassah to Julie, who was cheering on the sidelines and snapping every possible picture she could, having her own proud mom moment. Then wove my way back through the crowd.
I found Naomi near Washington Street. She was drained, gasping “I can’t go on!” I grabbed her hand and said, “Come on Naomi! We’re almost there!”
She didn’t believe it—but she trusted me. We shuffled. Slowly at first. Then we hit the final turn onto Elm—and something clicked.
She took off like she had wings. I could barely keep up. As we reached the finish, the crowd erupted: “NAOMI! NAOMI! NAOMI!”
I ran behind her, chest swelling with pride, a smile stretching wider than the finish line banner.
The Afterglow
This wasn’t about medals or times. It was about family, teamwork, and finishing together.
Naomi reminded me that strength doesn’t always look fast. Sometimes, it looks like standing up when everything hurts. Pushing through those moments when your entire body is telling you to stop.
This race reminded me that showing up—whether for a sprint or a stroll—builds bonds that last far beyond the finish line. Community events are the glue that bind people together. They go beyond brand and company image. This is where life happens, in all its messiness and beauty.
While we were there repping Savvy Source, I left that day with renewed appreciation for the community around us and the city we call home.
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